Letters to the editor
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Opinions
Last update: 2/4/10 at 12:29 AM EST
University's decision to sell WDUQ disappoints alumnus
Dear Editor:
As an alumnus of Duquesne and member of WDUQ, I was disappointed to hear Duquesne University's intention to sell its WDUQ assets. While the importance of its role as an initial member station of NPR should not be overlooked, many do not realize it is the only voice for jazz music in Pittsburgh. The public would lose the opportunity to hear and learn about Pittsburgh's rich history and vibrant contemporary jazz scene. Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington met and began their collaboration not far from the University, and the alumni of Duquesne University are often featured during jazz programming. It would be a shame to have the lone voice for an important part of our city's history lost.
Matthew Helfrich
Upper St. Clair
B.S. Business Administration, 2003
Decision to cut men's sports not progressive
Dear Editor:
I am deeply saddened to see the "restructuring" of the athletic department. It disappoints me as a former student athlete on the men's swimming team that the school is giving up on programs that have so much promise. With facilities that are below the quality of many high schools around the area, the men's swimming program has risen over the past seven years to become a competitive team in the Atlantic 10 Conference. I only hope that the funds reallocated to football, basketball, track, cross country, tennis and soccer will produce Atlantic 10 champions soon.
I would like to also remind the department that the men's swimming program has produced multiple Atlantic 10 Champions, including Ed Wicker, Scott Darwin, Eric Bugby, Ed LeBlanc, Ian P. Walsh and multiple championship relays. The coaching staff currently in place has taken the Duquesne men's and women's swimming programs from the bottom of the Atlantic 10 to competitive teams, constantly fighting for a top-3 spot in the conference.
In my opinion, progress is not the destruction of athletic teams, but the expansion of the program. Reallocation of funds does not mean a larger commitment to the athletic program, but it is merely turning your back on student athletes that made a decision to come and compete for the Dukes.
I ask the school to evaluate the effect this has on the student athletes and the coaching staffs. Many young men have made the decision to attend Duquesne, not only for its exceptional academic credentials, but because they had a connection with the athletic team. Furthermore, during a time period of economic turmoil, I find it difficult to release coaches from their positions. I encourage the athletic department to reconsider its decision.
Dan Wargo
Mt. Lebanon
B.A. Education, 2007
Dear Editor:
As an alumnus of Duquesne and member of WDUQ, I was disappointed to hear Duquesne University's intention to sell its WDUQ assets. While the importance of its role as an initial member station of NPR should not be overlooked, many do not realize it is the only voice for jazz music in Pittsburgh. The public would lose the opportunity to hear and learn about Pittsburgh's rich history and vibrant contemporary jazz scene. Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington met and began their collaboration not far from the University, and the alumni of Duquesne University are often featured during jazz programming. It would be a shame to have the lone voice for an important part of our city's history lost.
Matthew Helfrich
Upper St. Clair
B.S. Business Administration, 2003
Decision to cut men's sports not progressive
Dear Editor:
I am deeply saddened to see the "restructuring" of the athletic department. It disappoints me as a former student athlete on the men's swimming team that the school is giving up on programs that have so much promise. With facilities that are below the quality of many high schools around the area, the men's swimming program has risen over the past seven years to become a competitive team in the Atlantic 10 Conference. I only hope that the funds reallocated to football, basketball, track, cross country, tennis and soccer will produce Atlantic 10 champions soon.
I would like to also remind the department that the men's swimming program has produced multiple Atlantic 10 Champions, including Ed Wicker, Scott Darwin, Eric Bugby, Ed LeBlanc, Ian P. Walsh and multiple championship relays. The coaching staff currently in place has taken the Duquesne men's and women's swimming programs from the bottom of the Atlantic 10 to competitive teams, constantly fighting for a top-3 spot in the conference.
In my opinion, progress is not the destruction of athletic teams, but the expansion of the program. Reallocation of funds does not mean a larger commitment to the athletic program, but it is merely turning your back on student athletes that made a decision to come and compete for the Dukes.
I ask the school to evaluate the effect this has on the student athletes and the coaching staffs. Many young men have made the decision to attend Duquesne, not only for its exceptional academic credentials, but because they had a connection with the athletic team. Furthermore, during a time period of economic turmoil, I find it difficult to release coaches from their positions. I encourage the athletic department to reconsider its decision.
Dan Wargo
Mt. Lebanon
B.A. Education, 2007
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